Martinez Municipal Code Ch. 15.44 Building Security Regulations

For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and terms used herein are defined as follows:

A.

"Building official"

is the officer or other designated authority charged with the administration and enforcement of the building code or his duly authorized representative.

B.

"Commercial building"

is any building or structure used to conduct, manage or carry on any business. Storage of any merchandise, household goods or products shall be included as a business.

C.

"Cylinder guard"

is a hardened ring surrounding the exposed portion of the lock cylinder or other device which is so fastened so as to protect the cylinder from wrenching, prying, cutting or pulling by attack tools.

D.

"Dead bolt"

is a bolt which has no automatic spring action and is operated by a key cylinder, thumbturn or lever.

E.

"Deadlatch"

is a latch in which the latchbolt is positively held in the projected position by a guardbolt, plunger or auxiliary mechanism.

F.

"Insert"

is a hardened steel roller inside unhardened bolts to prevent bolt cutting or sawing with common tools.

G.

"Latch"

is a moveable piece which automatically holds a door in a closed position by entering a notch or cavity.

H.

"Owner"

as referred to in this chapter includes a designated agent, owner, joint owner, tenant in common or joint tenant of the whole or part of any building or land in the City of Martinez.

(Prior code § 9108 (909); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum security standards to safeguard property and public welfare by regulating and controlling the design, construction, use and quality of materials and maintenance of all buildings and structures within the City.

(Prior code § 9108 (901); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all new construction and to buildings and structures to which additions, alteration or repairs are made except as specifically provided in this chapter. No portion of this chapter shall supersede any local, State or Federal laws regulating egress for life safety and panic conditions.

(Prior code § 9108 (902); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

A. When additions, alterations or repairs exceed 50 percent of the assessed value of an existing structure within any twelve-month period, such building or structure shall be made to conform to the requirements for new buildings or structures.

B. Buildings or structures moved into or within the City shall comply with the provisions of the building code for new buildings.

(Prior code § 9108 (903); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

This chapter shall be enforced and administered by the Building Official who may call on the Chief of Police or his authorized agents to assist in the enforcement of this chapter. The City Attorney may be called upon to institute necessary legal proceedings to obtain compliance, and is authorized to institute appropriate actions to that end.

(Prior code § 9108 (904); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

The owner(s) or his designated agent(s) shall be responsible for compliance with this chapter.

(Prior code § 9108 (905); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

The provisions of this chapter shall not prevent the use or installation of any security device or method not specifically prescribed herein when such alternate is found to provide equivalent or better security and approval by the Building Official prior to installation.

(Prior code § 9108 (908); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

All exterior doors shall be secured as follows:

A. A single door shall be secured with either a double cylinder dead bolt or a single cylinder dead bolt without a turnpiece, with a minimum throw of 1 inch. A hook or expanding bolt may have a throw of 3/4 inch. Any dead bolt must contain an insert of hardened material to repel attempts at cutting through the bolt and must have a minimum of 6,000 possible key changes or locking combinations.

B. On pairs of doors, the active leaf shall be secured with the type of lock required for single doors in subsection A. The inactive leaf shall be equipped with flush bolts protected by hardened material with a minimum throw of 5/8 inch at head and foot. Multiple point locks, cylinder activated from the active leaf and satisfying this subsection and subsection A may be used in lieu of flush bolts.

C. Any single door or pair of doors requiring locking at the bottom or top rail shall have locks with a minimum 5/8-inch throw bolt at both the top and bottom rails.

D. Cylinders shall be so designed or protected that they cannot be gripped by pliers or other wrenching devices.

E. Exterior sliding commercial entrances will be secured as in subsections A, B and D, with special attention given to safety regulations.

F. Rolling overhead doors, solid overhead swinging, sliding or accordion garage-type doors shall be secured with a cylinder lock or a padlock on the inside when not otherwise controlled or locked by electric power operation. If a padlock is used, it shall be of hardened steel shackle, with a minimum 5 pin tumbler operation with non-removable key when it is in an unlocked position.

G. Metal accordion grate or grill-type doors shall be equipped with a metal guide track, top and bottom, and a cylinder lock and/or padlock with hardened steel shackle and minimum 5 pin tumbler operation with non-removable key when in an unlocked position. The bottom track shall be so designed that the door cannot be lifted from the track when the door is in a locked position.

H. Outside hinges on all exterior doors shall be provided with non-removable pins or hinges of the interlocking stud type when using pin-type hinges.

I. Doors with glass panels and doors that have glass panels adjacent to the door frame shall be secured as follows:

1. Rated burglary resistant glass or glass-like material; or

2. The glass shall be covered with iron bars of at least ½ inch round or 1 inch by ¼ inch flat steel material mortised, spaced not more than 5 inches apart, secured on the inside of the glazing; or

3. Iron or steel grills of at least 1/8 inch material of 2-inch mesh secured on inside of the glazing.

J. Inswinging doors shall have rabbetted jambs.

K. Wood doors, not of solid core construction, or with panels therein less than 1 3/8-inch thick, shall be covered on the inside with at least 16-gauge sheet steel or its equivalent attached with screws on a minimum of 6-inch centers.

L. Jambs for all doors shall be so constructed or protected so as to prevent violation of the function of the strike.

M. All exterior doors shall have a minimum of 20-foot candle power over the outside of the door. Such bulb shall be protected with a vapor cover or cover of equal breaking resistant material.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IA); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974; Ord. No. 1460, § VI, 7/31/2024)

A. Accessible rear and side windows not viewable from the street shall consist of rated burglary resistant glass or glass-like material.

Exception: Window openings required by the building code for access by the Fire Department shall be protected by a material approved by the Fire Department.

Protection of these window openings should be by glass, i.e., tempered glass, which may be broken without unnecessary delay and use of specialized equipment.

B. If the accessible side or rear window is of the openable type it shall be secured on the inside with a locking device capable of withstanding a force of 300 pounds applied in any direction.

C. Louvered windows shall not be used within 8 feet of ground level, adjacent structures or fire escapes.

D. Outside hinges on all accessible side and rear glass windows shall be provided with non-removable pins. If the hinge screws are accessible, the screws shall be of the non-removable type.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IB); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

A. All exterior transoms exceeding 8 inches by 12 inches on the side and rear of any building or premises used for commercial purposes shall be protected by one of the following:

1. Rated burglary resistant glass or glass-like material; or

2. Outside iron bars of at least ½-inch round or 1 inch by ¼-inch flat steel material, spaced no more than 5 inches apart; or

3. Outside iron or steel grills of at least 1/8-inch material but not more than 2-inch mesh.

B. The window barrier shall be secured with rounded head flush bolts on the outside.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IC); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

A. All glass skylights on the roof of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be provided with:

1. Rated burglary resistant glass or glass-like material meeting building code requirements; or

2. Iron bars of at least ½-inch round or 1 inch by ¼-inch flat steel material under the skylight and securely fastened; or

3. A steel grill of at least 1/8-inch material of 2-inch mesh under the skylight and securely fastened.

B. All hatchway openings on the floor of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be secured as follows:

1. If the hatchway is of wooden material, it shall be covered on the inside with at least 16-gauge sheet steel or its equivalent attached with screws.

2. The hatchway is to be secured from the inside with a slide bar or slide bolts. The use of a crossbar or padlock must be approved by the Fire Marshal.

3. Outside hinges on all hatchway openings shall be provided with non-removable pins when using pin-type hinges.

C. All air duct or air vent openings exceeding 8 inches by 12 inches on the roof or exterior walls of any building or premises used for business purposes shall be secured by covering the same with either of the following:

1. Iron bars of at least ½-inch round or 1 inch by ¼-inch flat steel material, spaced no more than 5 inches apart and securely fastened; or

2. A steel grill of at least 1/8-inch material of 2-inch mesh and securely fastened;

3. If the barrier is on the outside, it shall be secured with rounded head flush bolts on the outside.

D. Ladders. Any ladder, excluding fire escapes, located on the exterior of any building which could provide access to the roof shall be protected from such access by a continuous piece of wood or metal covering the rungs. The wood or metal shall be locked with a padlock. The padlock shall have a minimum of five pin tumblers and be of case-hardened steel. Hinges used on the covering shall be of a non-removable pin type. The wood or metal barrier shall be of a minimum of 8 feet continuous covering of not less than ½-inch thickness and located 4 feet from ground level or be secured in a manner approved by the Building Official.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(ID); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

A. Safes. Commercial establishments having $1,000.00 or more in cash on the premises after closing hours shall lock such money in at least a Class E or higher rated safe after closing hours.

B. Office buildings (multiple occupancy). All entrance doors to individual office suites shall have a dead bolt lock with a minimum 1-inch throw bolt which can be opened from the inside.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IE); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

A. If it is determined by the enforcing authority of this chapter that the security measures and locking devices described in this chapter do not adequately secure the building, he may require the installation and maintenance of an intrusion detection device (burglar alarm system).

B. Establishments having specific type inventories shall be protected by the following type alarm service:

1. Silent Alarm—Central Station—Supervised Service:

a. Jewelry store, manufacturing, wholesale and retail,

b. Guns and ammunition,

c. Wholesale liquor,

d. Wholesale tobacco,

e. Wholesale drugs,

f. Fur stores;

2. Silent alarm:

a. Liquor stores,

b. Pawnshops,

c. Electronic equipment including musical instrument,

d. Wig stores,

e. Clothing (new),

f. Coins and stamps,

g. Industrial tool supply houses,

h. Camera stores,

i. Precious metal storage facility,

j. Drugstores;

3. Local alarm (bell outside premises):

a. Antique dealers,

b. Art galleries,

c. Service stations.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IF); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

The purpose of Sections 15.44.150 through 15.44.220 is to set forth minimum standards of construction for resistance to unlawful entry to the residential structures located in the City.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IIA); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

Nothing contained in this chapter shall be deemed to prohibit the use of alternate materials, devices or measures when such alternate provisions are by the Building Official as providing equivalent security.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IIB); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

A. Sliding glass doors. Panels shall be closed and locked. Tests shall be performed in the following order:

1. Test A. With the panels in the normal positions a concentrated load of 300 pounds shall be applied separately to each vertical pull stile incorporating a locking device at a point on the stile within 6 inches of the locking device, in the direction parallel to the plane of glass that would tend to open the door.

2. Test B. Repeat Test A while simultaneously adding a concentrated load of 150 pounds to the same area of the same stile in a direction perpendicular to the plane of glass toward the interior side of the door.

3. Test C. Repeat Test B with the 150 pounds force in the reversed direction towards the exterior side of the door.

4. Tests D, E and F. Repeat Tests A, B and C with the movable panel lifted upwards to its full limit within the confines of the door frame.

B. Sliding glass windows. The sash shall be closed and locked. Tests shall be performed in the following order:

1. Test A. With the sliding sash in the normal position, a concentrated load of 150 pounds shall be applied separately to each sash member within 6 inches of the locking device, in the direction parallel to the plane of glass that would tend to open the window.

2. Test B. Repeat Test A while simultaneously adding a concentrated load of 75 pounds to the same area of the same sash member in the direction perpendicular to the plane of glass toward the interior side of the window.

3. Test C. Repeat Test B with 75-pound force in the reversed direction towards the exterior side of the window.

4. Tests D, E and F. Repeat Tests A, B and C with the movable sash lifted upwards to its full limit within the confines of the window frame.

C. Testing agency. All tests shall be performed by an approved independent testing agency. Written reports shall be submitted to the Building Official.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IIC); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

A door forming part of the enclosure of a dwelling unit shall be of solid core construction installed and secured as set forth in Sections 15.44.180, 15.44.190 and 15.44.200, when such door is accessible from a street, highway, yard, court, corridor, balcony, patio, breezeway, private garage, portion of the building which is available for use by the public or other tenants or similar area. A door enclosing a private garage with an interior opening leading directly to a dwelling unit shall also comply with Sections 15.44.180, 15.44.190 and 15.44.200.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IID); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974; Ord. 1091 C.S. § VIII, 1987)

A. A single swing door, the active leaf of a pair of doors and the bottom leaf of dutch doors shall be equipped with a dead bolt with a minimum throw of 1 inch and a deadlocking latch. Dead bolts shall contain hardened inserts, or equivalent, so as to repel cutting tool attack. The lock or locks shall be key operated from the exterior side of the door and engaged or disengaged from the interior side of the door by a device not requiring a key or special knowledge or effort.

B. Flushbolts with a minimum throw of 5/8 inch shall be provided at the head and foot (floor and ceiling) of the inactive leaf of double doors, and at the top and bottom of the upper leaf of dutch doors.

C. Door stops on wooden jambs for in-swing doors shall be of one piece construction with the jamb or joined by a rabbet.

D. Non-removable pins or interlocking stud-type hinges which are accessible from the outside when the door is closed.

E. Cylinder guards shall be installed on all mortise or rim-type cylinder locks whenever the cylinder projects beyond the face of the door or is otherwise accessible to gripping tools.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IIE); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

A. Sliding glass doors shall be equipped with locking devices and shall be so installed that, when subject to tests specified in Section 15.44.160, they remain intact and engaged. Movable panels shall not be rendered easily openable or removable from the frame during or after the tests. A secondary locking device shall be installed to allow the sliding door to be opened a minimum 2" and a maximum of 4" to provide ventilation. The door in the secondary locking position shall not be removable by lifting.

B. Cylinder guards shall be installed on all mortise or time-type cylinder locks which project beyond the face of the door or are otherwise accessible to gripping tools.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IIF); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974; Ord. 1091 C.S. § VIII, 1987)

A. Metal or wooden overhead sliding doors shall be secured with a cylinder lock, padlock with a hardened steel shackle, metal slide bar, bolt or equivalent on the inside when not otherwise locked by electric power operations. In the event that this type door provides the only entrance to a garage, the cylinder lock or padlock may be on the outside.

B. Cylinder guards shall be installed on all mortise or rim-type cylinder locks which project beyond the face of the door or are otherwise accessible to gripping tools.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IIG); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

A window, skylight or other light forming a part of the enclosure of a dwelling unit shall be constructed, installed and secured as set forth in Section 15.44.220 when such window, skylight or light is not more than 12 feet above the grade of a street, highway, yard, court, passageway, corridor, balcony, patio, breezeway, private garage, portion of the building which is available for use by the public or other tenants or similar area. A window enclosing a private garage with an interior opening leading directly to a dwelling unit shall also comply with Section 15.44.220.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(IIH); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974; Ord. 1091 C.S. § VIII, 1987)

A. Sliding glass windows shall be provided with locking devices that, when subjected to the tests specified in Section 15.44.160 remain intact and engaged. A secondary locking device shall be installed to allow the movable panel to be opened a minimum 2" and a maximum of 4" to provide ventilation. The window in the secondary locking position shall not be removable by lifting.

B. Movable panels shall not be rendered easily openable or removable from the frame during or after the tests.

C. Other openable windows shall be provided with substantial locking devices which the Building Official finds render the building as secure as the devices required by this chapter.

D. Louvered windows, except those above the first story shall not be permitted.

E. Open parking lots (including lots having carports) providing more than ten parking spaces shall be provided with a maintained minimum of 3 foot-candles of light on the parking surface during hours of darkness.

(Prior code § 9108 (910)(II-I); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974; Ord. 1091 C.S. § VIII, 1987)

It is unlawful for the owner(s) of a building or structure to fail to provide the security devices required by this chapter.

(Prior code § 9108 (906); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

Any interested person may appeal the decision of the Building Official by filing a notice with the Secretary of the Board of Appeals; the Police Chief or his designated representative shall be a member of the Appeals Board to pass upon matters pertaining to this chapter.

(Prior code § 9108 (907); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

The notice of appeal shall set forth in concise language the following:

A. Date of appeal;

B. Name of appellant;

C. Appellant's representative (if any);

D. Address(es) to which notices shall be sent;

E. Telephone number of appellant and/or representative;

F. Name of owner, if different from appellant;

G. Date of action or decision from which appeal is taken;

H. Action or decision being appealed;

I. Grounds for appeal;

J. Estimated time required by appellant to present appeal;

K. Address and description of real property involved.

(Prior code § 9108 (907)(a); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

No filing fee shall be required for an appeal from actions or decisions pertaining to this chapter.

(Prior code § 9108 (907)(b); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)

The Secretary of the Board of Appeals shall cause the notice of appeal to be placed on the agenda as soon as practicable. Such date for the hearing shall not be less than ten (10) days nor more than sixty (60) days from the date the appeal was filed. Each appellant shall receive notice of the time and place of the hearing at least five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the hearing.

(Prior code § 9108 (907)(c); Ord. 796 C.S. § 5, 1974)